Regina King Confronts Anger with God in the Wake of Her Son’s Tragic Death
By Melanie Henderson // Mental Health // EEW Magazine Online
Regina King opens up about the tragic death of her son, Ian, who died by suicide in 2022. (Credit: EEW Magazine Online)
Facing the death of a child is among the most harrowing challenges a person can endure, especially when it’s a result of suicide linked to the relentless grip of mental illness.
Regina King, 53, the renowned Oscar-winning actress, opens up about her spiritual struggle and the ire she felt toward God after her son, Ian Alexander Jr., took his own life in January 2022, at just 26 years of age.
In a heartfelt conversation with "Good Morning America" co-anchor Robin Roberts, King lays bare the profound changes in her life over the past two years. "Grief is a journey," King shares, revealing a shift in her own being since the day she lost Ian. She describes grief as love with no outlet, a poignant reflection of the deep connection she shared with her son.
Orange to Honor Ian: Regina King appears at the 96th Annual Oscars donning a custom orange Georgette and Cady Versace gown, her late son’s favorite color. (Credit: Getty)
Donning orange, Ian's favored color, in his honor at the Oscars, King paints a picture of her son's battle with mental health issues. Her candid dialogue about the anger she experienced toward God is a raw acknowledgment of her faith tested by unspeakable pain. Despite various therapeutic interventions, King recalls Ian's words, "I'm tired of talking, Mom," highlighting the exhaustive nature of his inner turmoil.
With two years elapsed since Ian's passing, King admits the struggle with acceptance is ongoing, and feelings of guilt often surface. She expresses a unique maternal grief, acknowledging, "No one else is Ian's mom, you know? Only me."
Yet, in the midst of heartache, King is determined to keep her son's memory alive through what she calls "Ian-spirations"—subtle reminders of his spirit in her daily life. "He is always with me," King asserts, vowing to speak of Ian in the present and to honor the joy and light he brought to her life.
Regina King as Shirley Chisholm in "Shirley." (Credit: Glen Wilson / Netflix)
King's role as a mother remains her proudest identity, a role she cherishes despite the emotional complexity it now carries. Her commitment to respecting the journey through grief is unwavering.
Amidst personal loss, King also speaks of her upcoming film "Shirley," where she embodies the formidable Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to the United States Congress and a pioneering candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination.
This project, dedicated to Ian's memory, represents a fitting tribute to his life. "It's been a 15-year journey," King admits, "I wasn't ready to play Shirley. I may have thought that I was then, but I wasn't ready. I needed to live more life.” Now, with her own experiences of sorrow and resilience, King feels she can truly do justice to the legacy of a woman who shattered racial and gender barriers in American politics.
Regina King's openness about her struggle with faith and the intensity of her loss speaks directly to the hearts of those who have faced similar trials. Her story serves as a beacon of shared experience, fostering a sense of solidarity and understanding within the community of Black Christian women and all who draw strength from their faith amidst life’s most trying times.
